Retractable panel for sofa berths



May 12, 195.3 EE: woLLER 2,637,856

RETRAC''ABLE- PANEL FOR SOFA BERTI-IS Filed sept. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l A ,dja-ye f May 12, 1953 E. E. woLLl-:R 2,637,856 l RETRACTABLE PANEL Fo sow` BERTHS Filed Sept. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 12, 1953 E. E. WOLLER RETRACTABLE PANEL FOR SOFA BERTHS Filed Sept. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 25 @iag' May l2, 1953 E. E. wol ER 2,637,856

RETRACTABLE PANEL FOR son BERTHS Filed sept. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 12, 1953 E. E. woLLER 2,6:317- 356 RTRACTABLE lPANEL. FOR SOFA BERTI-1S Filed Sept. 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 12, 1953 E. E. woLLl-:R 2,637,856 RETRACT'ABLE.- PANEL FOR soml BERTHS Filed sept. 24, 41948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE RETRACTABLE PANEL FOR SOFA BERTHS Edward E. Weller, Kenosha, Wis., assigner to Simmons Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form and arrangement of a pair of bed bottoms on a supporting frame swingable into and out of positions to constitute lower and upper berths; to provide improved suspension means for said bed bottoms to permits independent swinging movement thereof through 90 degrees between vertically-disposed stowed positions within said frame and horizontallydisposed open positions; to provide an improved arrangement of a retractable panel separating into two compartments the space within said frame, within which compartments said bed bottoms are adapted to be stowed when not in use; to provide an improved panel of this kind having the front face plate thereof disposed in a plane ush with the exposed faces of said bed bottoms when in their vertically-disposed stowed positions and thus closing the space between said bed bottoms; to provide improved means connecting the suspension means for the upper of said bed bottoms with said partition whereby the swinging of said upper bed bottom between its verticallyand horizontally-disposed positions eiects a simultaneous swinging of said panel between its normal horizontallyand upwardly-disposed positions; and to provide an iniproved panel and shifting means of this kind which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and positive in operation.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an improved arrangement of a pair of folding bed bottoms V with a dividing panel embodying this invention,

with the lower of which bed bottoms is associated a sofa seat. Both bed bottoms are shown in their folded or stowed positions;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing l the lower bed bottom in its horizontally-disposed,

. construction showing both of the bed bottoms in their horizontally-disposed, open positions;

Fig. 5 is a rear View of what is shown in Fig. 3

2 but with the panel shifted to its nearly vertical retracted position;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3 illustrating the relative positions of the link mechanism and panel when the latter has been shifted to its nearly vertical retracted position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing the relative position of the link mechanism and panel with the latter in its horizontally-disposed position; and

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the spacing guide arm which effects a movement of the upper bed bottom toward and away from the supporting framework, when the bed bottom is being swung between its horizontally-disposed, open position and its vertically-disposed, closed position respectively, and which arm synchronizes the swinging of the panel through the associated linkage illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, 6, '7, and 8;

Figure 10 is an end elevation, partly sectional of one of the bed bottoms in partially opened position showing the linkage by which the bed bottom is mounted on the supporting frame.

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of one end of the bed bottom in open position showing the relationship between the bed bottom supporting linkage and the panel actuating linkage, and omitting for the sake of clarity the channel upright between the linkages.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rocker arm which supports and actuates the inter berth panel.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper bed bottom and inter-berth panel in assembled relation with the supporting frame.

Figure 14 is an enlarged plan view of Figure '7 and is partially broken away to more clearly illustrate the nature and mounting of certain members of the berth suspension and panel actuating linkages.

Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line |5-I5 of Figure 8, and is partially broken away to illustrate the mounting of the inter-berth panel.

Figure 16 is an enlarged perspective view of a locking plate by which a portion of the panelactuating linkage is removably attached to the supporting frame.

A preferred form of dual folding bed embodying this invention comprises a supporting frame l0 divided by a swingably mounted panel Il into two compartments I2 and I3 wherein bed bottoms or berths I4 and I5 are suspended by counterbalanced, rocker-arm link mechanisms I6 to permit said bed bottoms or berths to be swung between vertically-disposed, closed or stowed positions and horizontally-disposed, open positions. The link-suspension mechanism I6 for the upper bed bottom I has associated with it a spacing-guide arm I'I and an auxiliary link mechanism I8 which effect a swinging of the panel II between its horizontally-disposed position and a nearly vertical retracted position when the upper bed bottom I5 is swung between its vertically-disposed, closed position and its horizontally-disposed, open position.

The frame I0 comprises right and left channel uprights i9 and 20 secured together in proper spaced relationship by one or more cross beams 2I (see Figs. 1, 2, and 4) and associated with a pair of sofa seat ends 22. The frame is designed so that it may be set up on a supporting floor,

preferably within a wall cavity p-rovided for that purpose. Obviously, such a frame would be anchored to the floor, and generally to the wall, by suitable means such as angle plates 23 (see Figs. 1 and 2).

The frame-dividing panel II is pivotally supported at either end on the channel uprights I9 and at points adjacent the rear flanges thereof in a manner more fully described hereinafter. The form and mounting of thc dividing panel ii is such that in its horizontally-disposed position it divides the space within the frame iii into the bed bottom compartments I2 and i3 with the front narrow face 25 of the panel disposed flush with the plane of the outer faces of the bed bottoms I4 and I5 to close the space between the bed bottoms in their vertically-disposed, closed or stowed positions (Figure 8).

The bed bottoms I4 and I5 herein shown are sheet metal stampings of a more or less standard form. Each supports a suitable mattress 20. These bed bottoms are swingably suspended on rocker-arm link mechanisms I6 one above the other so as to be individually swung between vertically-disposed, closed or stowed positions, as shown in Fig. 1, and horizontally-disposed, sleeping positions, as shown in Fig. 4. Each bed bottom is equipped with a foldable lee and head rail 2'I, the construction and operation of which is more fully pointed out in co-pending application Serial No. 51,005, filed Sept. 24, 1948, now Patent No. 2,583,760.

The counterbalanced link-suspension mechanisms IB by which each of the bed bottoms I4 and I5 is supported on the channel uprights i9 and 20 to permit their swinging between vertically disposed stowed positions, and horizontally disposed open position, is more fully disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 51,006, filed September 24, 1948. However, in order that the co-action of the movement of the upper berth with the retraction of the inter-berth panel II may be understood, the berth suspension mechanism may be described briefly as follows:

The suspension mechanism I6 for the upper berth I5 includes identical linkages 50 at each end of the berth, of which only the linkage for the left-hand side of the berth is illustrated. The linkage 50 includes a rocker arm 5I pivotally supported near its mid-point at 52 on the channel upright 20, and a pair of depending suspension links 53 and 54 pivotally attached to the forward and rearward ends respectively of the rocker arm 5I. The forward link 53 is pivoted at its lower end to an opstanding bracket 55 secured to the adjacent end wall of the bed bottom I5, and the rearward link 54 is pivoted to a bracket 28 similarly secured to the end wall of the bed bottom, but at a point substantially inwardly from the bracket 55.

Included in each of the linkages 58 is a spacing guide arm or link il which is pivoted adjacent its forward end at 56 to the bracket 28 on the bed bottom. At its rearward end, the arm Il' is provided with a trunnion 29 which is journalled in blocks or brackets 3U and 38a, secured to respectively opposite sides of the channel uprights i5 and 20 adJacent the rear flanges thereof and slightly above the plane in which the bed bottom is disposed in open position. During opening movement of the bed bottom, the guide arms i'I thrust the bed bottom outwardly and pull its rear side upwardly as the upper or forward portion of the bed bottom is swung downwardly into horizontal position. Conversely, during the berth closing movement, the arms Il pull the rear side of the bed bottom downwardly and inwardly as the upper or forward portion of the bed-bottom swings upwardly into stowed position.

When the bed bottom is stowed, the brackets i3 and 55 are disposed one above the other and the rocker arm 5I is inclined downwardly to the rear. On the other hand, when the bed bottom is opened to sleeping position and the brackets 28 and 55 are horlzontaly aligned, the rocker arm 5I is inclined downwardly to the front, as indicated particularly in Figures 11 and 13. The rocker arm 5I is provided at its rearward end with a nose or extension 5l which is adapted to be engaged by a resiliently biased latch pawl 58 to lock the bed bottom in open position.

The folding and unfolding of the guard rail 2 is accomplished by the arms II through a link 59 which is pivoted at one end to the forward end of the arm Il at 65. At its other end, the link 59 is pivoted at GI to an upstanding link BZ, which is pivoted at its lower end to the bracket 55 co-axially with the forward suspension link 53 and pivoted at its upper end to the head portion 53 of the guard rail 2l. The side portion 64 of the guard rail 2 is pivoted on standards 65 secured to the bed bottom I5 on an axis extending longitudinally of the bed bottom so as to be foldable from an upright position, indicated in Figs. 11 and 13, to a folded position overlying the bed bottom. The head rail is pivoted to the side rail 64 at 65, and is movable in its own plane, forming part of the linkage Il--59-62- 63 for folding,r or extending the guard rail as an incident respectively to the stowing or opening of 'the bed bottom. By comparing Figures 7 and 8, it will be noted that movement of the arm Il relative to the bed bottom I5 during stowing of the bed bottom, shifts the pivot 65 of the link 59 to the arm il, from the outward side of the pivot 56 to the inward side thereof, drawing the link 59 inwardly along the bed bottom to co1- lapse the guard rail 2. Conversely, during opening movement of the bed bottom, the pivot 60 is shifted in the opposite direction, thrusting the link 59 outwardly along the bed bottom to erect the guard rail.

For the upper bed bottom I5 the one of the arms I7 is preferably made of two parts 3| and 32 (see Fig. 9). The reason for this will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. Each of these parts has a slot 33 formed in the end thereof and is provided with a pin 34 located inwardly from the slotted ends. Between the slot 33 and pin 34 is an aperture 35. The parts 3I and 32 thus may be assembled with the pins 34 set in the respective slots 33 thereby locating the apertures 35 in registration with each other. A set screw 36 extending through one of these apertures 35 and screwed into the other secures the two parts in their assembled relationship.

The linkage I8, whereby the swinging ci the separating panel Il is synchronized with the swinging of the upper bed bottom, comprises a pair of rocker arms 31 and 38 and a pair of links 35 and 40.

The rocker arm or crank 31 is secured to the squared end 4I of the trunnion 29 whereon the two piece arm I1 is secured. .The rocker arm or crank 38 is pivotally mounted on the channel upright 28 by means of a cylindrical boss 38a which is journalled in the upright. A squared stub-shaft 24 formed integrally with the rocker arm 38 and extending inwardly from the boss 38a is received within a tubular hanger IIa formed integrally with the panel lI. The panel i I and the squared shaft 24 are secured together vby a bolt Hb extending therethrough. Thus the squared shaft and boss 38a pivotally support the panel II upon the frame I8. A forked locking plate Za is removably attached to the inner side of the upright 2li with its forked end stradvdling a reduced diameter portion 4.2 of the stubshaft 24 between the boss 38a and the squared portion of the shaft, in order to secure the crank 3B to the upright 20, as indicated in Figs. 12 and l5. Thus the rocker arms 51 and 33 swing with the arm I1 and the panel II respectively. The relative angularity of the rocker arms 31 and 38, and their connection with the links 39 and lili, is such that the panel II is in a horizontally-disposed position, as shown in Fig. 8, when the upper bed bottom I5 is in its vertically-disposed, closed position, and the panel II is in its nearly vertical retracted position when the bed bottom l5 is in its horizontally-disposed, open position, as shown in Fig. '1.

The links 39 and dil at their adjacent ends are pivoted together at i3 and at their outer ends are pivoted at 44 and 45 to the rocker arms 31 and 38 respectively. The link 3S has an extension 136, beyond the pivotal connection 33, which carries a stop pin 41 positioned to engage the edge vof the link 46, when the linkage I8 has effected a complete retraction of the panel II.

The retraction of the panel ii is limited by its abutment against a cushion stop 48 secured on one of the channel uprights i9 cr 28 above one of the panel trunnions 24.

A construction of this kind has to be shipped i.

knocked down from the place of production and `iabricated at the place of use. The forming of the arm I1 in two parts 3l and 32 enables vthe `vworkmen to assemble the linkage I8, including the arm part3i, on the panel upright 2D and secure the arm part 32 on the bed bottom bracket 28. Then, when the workmen are ready to susvides considerable more head room between the open bed bottoms or berths along the inner lateral side thereof than would be provided if the panel II were not retracted. It is for this reason that the linkage I8 is provided and is synchronized with the swinging of the upper bed bottom I5.

As the bed bottom I5 moves downwardly the arm l1 moves upwardly. Such movement, acting through the rocker arms 31 and 38 and the links 38 and 40, causes the panel I I to move rearwardly from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. '7. Upon swinging the bed bottom I5 from its horizontally-disposed, open position to its closed position the arm I1 swings downwardly and rearwardly, reversing the movement of the rocker arms 31 and 38 and the links 39 and 4B so as to move the panel II from its retracted position as shown in Fig. 7 to its horizontally-disposed position as shown in Fig. 8.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention provides, in the form of a dividing panel having a face plate at its forward edge, means for isolating the individual bed-bottoms of a double berth structure when the bed bottoms are stowed, and for closing the 'gap which would otherwise exist between the stowed bed bottoms. Furthermore, novel means has been provided for retracting the panel and face plate to a non-obstructing position as an incident to the opening movement of one of the berths, in order to .remove it as an obstruction to the occupant of the lower berth, and to provide substantially uniform head clearance between the berths when the berths are opened to sleeping position.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a lower and upper berth construction of the class described the combination of a vertical supporting frame having a recess for stowing a pair of bed bottoms one above the other, a pair of superposed upper and lower bed bottoms, a linkage pivotally connecting each end of each of said bed bottoms with said frame to permit independent swinging of said bed bottoms through angles of 90 degrees between vertically-disposed stowed positions in said recessed supporting frame and horizontally-disposed open positions, a panel hngedly mounted on said frame intermediate said bed bottoms to form a partition dividing said recess into upper and lower stowage compartments, said panel being swingable between a normal horizontally-disposed position and an upwardly-disposed retracted position, said panel having a front face plate xed thereon and disposed in a plane iiush with the alined exposed faces of said bed bottoms in their vertically-disposed stowed positions and substantially closing the space between said bed bottom faces when said panel occupies its normal position, and a linkage connecting the upper of said bed bottoms to said panel whereby the swinging of said upper bed bottom from its stowed position to its open position automatically swings said panel from its horizontal position to its retracted position, thereby retractng said face plate upwardly into said frame.

2. In a lower and upper berth construction of the class described the combination of a vertical supporting frame having a recess for stowing a pair of bed bottoms one above the other, a pair of upper and lower superposed bed bottoms pivotally mounted on said frame and swingable between the class described the combination of a vertical supporting frame having a recess for stowing a pair of bed bottoms one above the other, a pair of superposed upper and lower bed bottoms, a suspension linkage at each end of each of said bed bottoms pivotally connecting said bed bottoms to said frame whereby said bed bottoms are swingable on said linkages between vertically disposed stowed positions in said recess and horizonta-lly disposed open positions, a panel normally positioned horizontally in said recess inter- L mediate said bed bottoms to form a partition dividing said recess into upper and lower stowage compartments, said panel being trunnioned at its rear corners to said frame and swingable between its normal, horizontal position and an upwardly- :l

disposed position, a crank connected to one of said upper bed bottom suspension linkages, a second lcrank xed to one of the trunnions of said panel, and links connecting said cranks whereby the swinging of said upper bed bottom from its y stowed position to its open position automatically swings said panel from its horizontal position to its retracted position.

4. In a lower and upper berth construction of the class described the combination or" a vertical supporting frame having a recess for stowing a pair of bed bottoms one above the other, a pair of superposed upper and lower bed bottoms, a suspension linkage at each end of each of said bed bottoms, said linkage including a rocker arm pivoted on said frame and a pair of main suspension links pivotally connected at their lower ends at spaced points cn their respective bed bottom ends and at their upper ends to opposite ends of said rocker arm, and at least one secondary spacing link pivotally connected at its outer end to its respective bed bottom end and having at its inner end a trunnion journalled in said frame at a point contiguous to the plane which the respective bed bottom occupies in its horizontally-disposed open position, a panel normally positioned horizontally in said recess intermediate said bed bottoms to form a partition dividing said recess into upper and lower compartments, said panel being trunnioned at its rear corners to said frame Aand swingable between its normal horizontal position and a rearwardlyand upwardly-disposed position, a crank xed to the trunnion of said secondary spacing link for said upper bed bottom, a second crank fixed to one or" the trunnions of said panel, links connecting .said cranks whereby the swinging of said upper bed bottom from its stowed position to its open position automatically swings said panel fromits horizontal position to its retracted position.

5. In a vlower and upper berth construction of the class described the combination of a vertical I supporting frame having a recess for stowing a pair `of bed bottoms one above 'the other, a pair of superposed upper and lower bed bottoms, a suspension linkage at each end of each of said bed bottoms, said linkage including a rocker arm pivoted on said frame, a pair of main suspension links pivotally connected at their lower ends at spaced points on their respective bed bottoms ends, said links being pivotally connected at their upper ends to the ends of said rocker arm. and at least one secondary spacing link pivotally connected at its outer end to its respective bed bottom end and having at its inner end a trunnion journalled in said frame at a point contiguous to the plane which the respective bed bottom occupies in its horizontally-disposed open position, a panel normally positioned horizontally in said recess intermediate said bed bottoms to form a partition dividing said recess into upper and lower stowage compartments, said panel being trunnioned at its rear corners to said frame and swingable between its normal horizontal position and a. rearwardlyand upwardly-disposed position, a crank fixed to the trunnion of said secondary spacing link for said upper bed bottom, a second crank fixed to one of the trunnions of said panel, links connecting said cranks whereby the swinging of said upper bed bottom from its stowed position to its open position automatically swings said panel from its normal horizontal position to its retracted position, the secondary spacing link to the trunnion of which said rstmentioned crank is iixed comprising two sections the ends of which overlap intermediate said trunnion and the respective bed bottom, each of said overlapping link sections having a slot extending inwardly from the end thereof, a pin on each of said overlapping link sections located inwardly of the respective slot, each of said link sections also having an aperture formed therein intermediate the respective slot and pin, said link sections being assemblable in overlapping relationship with the slot on one section engaging the pin on the other section and locating said apertures in registration, and a fastening means extending through said registering apertures for securing said sections against separation.

6. In a lower and upper berth construction of he class described which includes a vertical supporting frame deiining a space, a panel normally positioned horizontally in said frame for dividing said space into upper and lower compartments, and a bed bottom in each of said compartments, said bed bottoms `being pivotally connected to said frame and movable from vertically-disposed stowed positions in their respective compartments to horizontally-disposed open positions in vertically spaced relation with said panel whereby said panel overiies a portion of said lower berth, the improvement which comprises a connection between said frame and said panel at the rear oi said panel whereby said panel is movable from its normal horizontal position to a retracted position so as to provide substantially uniform clearance between said berths in open position, and a connection between said panel and one of said bed bottoms whereby the movement of said one bed bottom to 'its open position is effective to move said panel into its retracted position.

7. In a lower and upper berth construction of the class described which includes a vertical supporting frame having a recess for'stowing a pair of bed bottoms one above the other, a pair of superposed bed bottoms pivotally mounted onsaid frame and swingable from horizontally-disposed, open positions -to vertically-disposed, stowed positions in said recess, each of said bed bottoms including on its underside a cover panel for concealing said bed bottom in stowed position, the

9 panels of said bed-bottoms being co-planar whe said bed bottoms are stowed but having an opening betweenfzthem, a face plate normally disposed between and ush with said panels to close said opening when said bed bottoms are stowed, mean'S movably mounting said face plate on said frame for movement from said normal position between and iiush with said panels to a rearward re'- tracted position within said recess and means connecting said face plate and one of said bed bottoms whereby the movement of said one bed bottom to its open position is eiective to move said face plate into its retracted position.

EDWARD E. WOLLER. .A

References Cited in the 111e of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 5 450,600 1,001,214

Number lo Ad. 48,455 

